ONE: When presenting my summary information on one of the most momentous moments i Sri Lankan cricket when a “Ceylon”team beat India in an unofficial four-day Test match at Ahmedabad in early 1965, I came across two photographs sis by side: one showing captains Tissera and the Nawab of Pataudi shaking hands at the toss and another of a third slip or gully taking a catch. I assumed [wrongly] that this was catch snaffled by Anura Polonowita referred to in phone conversation by Mano Ponniah.

This identification has been challenged by Mevan Pieris … but his reading is now questioned by Darrell Lieversz. So cricketing aficianados must address ths puzzle.

TWO: A Note from HSM “Mevan”Pieris, December 2017

 “The picture which states Polonowita taking a brilliant catch off Fredrick is wrongly stated. Neither the catcher is Polonowita nor the bowler Fredrick who was a short stocky cricketer. The tall bowler I believe is Mevan Pieris and the fielder taking the catch is Lionel Fernando. The wicket keeper is Russel Hamer and slip I believe is Anura Tennekoon. This photograph probably is one taken when the Sri Lanka Board team under Anura Tennekoon’s captaincy toured South India, about 1971. The bowler is certainly not Norton Fredrick. When Polonowita and Fredrick played for the country in India, Russel Hamer was not in the team and the wicket keeper was HIK Fernando. Anura Tennekoon could probably help to confirm what I say.“

THREE: A Note from Darrell Lieversz, 30 December 2017

Hi Michael, A friend of mine sent me a copy of your article “Tensions and Tales from Sri Lankan Cricket: An Essay from 2009”.  I refer you to the paragraph and photograph titled “Correction” which I have “cut and pasted” and attached a copy to this Email for your perusal.

It is with embarrassed reluctance that I wish to bring to your notice a further correction to the paragraph and photograph.The photograph was taken in Bangalore (India) at the 1^st Test Ceylon vs India in 1963. It is of a dropped catch by Stanley Jayasinghe from Abhas Ali Baig off my bowling. From Left to Right : H I K Fernado (Wicket Keeper), Abhas Ali Baig (Batsman), Dillip Sardesai (non striker), Abu Fuard (1^st Slip), Umpire (??), Stanley Jayasinghe (2^nd Slip) and Darrell Lieversz (Bowler).

It was a sad moment indeed, because Baig went on to score 96 and was ultimately caught by H I K Fernando off the bowling of Abu Fuard.

However, the article in its entirety is as usual very well written with some incredible facts making it an extremely good read.

Kind regards, Darrell  ….   at full bore then

Mevan Pieris in later life

Darrell Lieversz in later life